GIA Education Offers Endless List of Benefits
By Jon Segal

The first time I saw Harry Winston pieces I was smitten with dreams of selling jewelry. I was born into a clothing business started by my grandfather, however, and was expected to follow in his footsteps. I did so for 16 years, but never forgot my teen years when I would visit jewelry stores around San Diego. That’s when I first heard of GIA. I eventually took some of the Institute’s courses while I was in college 18 years ago.

When our family business closed last year, I realized I finally had the opportunity to pursue my lifelong dream and passion to enter the jewelry trade.

I used the downtime constructively and resumed my GIA courses while I looked for an entry-level sales job. I landed one at Nordstrom’s Fine Jewelry department through GIA’s Web site. I was able to meet professionals like David Weinrod from Kwiat, who gave me great career advice, when I worked there.

I have continued my studies at GIA and honed my skills as a sales associate with Ed Levi & Sons. The main ingredient of all sales – especially jewelry sales – is trust. Customers who buy jewelry must trust the salesperson. What better way to instill trust than for a salesperson to be a graduate of the same organization that is the final word on gemstones’ authenticity and quality?

This is why I am working toward my Graduate Gemologist (G.G.) diploma. It will give me an extra edge because customers who know jewelry trust GIA. I’m confident it will also make me a more knowledgeable jewelry professional and open doors to career advancement.

I won’t stop learning once I have my diploma, though. There are so many other courses at GIA, I anticipate a lifetime of learning opportunities. The list of opportunities a GIA education offers is extensive. It benefits the graduates, the businesses where they work and the customers they serve.